Three mothers talk about breastfeeding benefits even beyond six months

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January 18, 2026 | 12:40pm

MANILA, Philippines — Many of us grew up seeing and hearing commercials that have lodged in our heads due to constant airplay. Even the disclaimers or advisories tacked at the end have become so memorable we know them by heart, like those adverts for infant formula: Breast milk is best for babies up to two years. 

On the website of the World Health Organization, it says that “breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.” Breast milk is described as the ideal food for infants as it contains antibodies that help protect against common childhood illnesses. 

The WHO goes on to list other benefits for the breastfed child including performing better on intelligence tests and lower chance of becoming overweight or developing diabetes later in life. “Breastfeeding mothers also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers,” the WHO added.

We interviewed three moms who have chosen to exclusively breastfeed their children well beyond the recommended six months to two years. Jenina Que is a mother of three daughters, Jeline Galagar has two sons, and January Suguitan is the mother of four. Aside from the health benefits that their children drew from their breast milk, they also developed a strong bond with each child.

Jenina breastfed her two older daughters Ziva and Olivia for three years, and currently breastfeeds her youngest Alanis. She has noticed that Ziva and Olivia are affectionate (malambing) and are able to communicate how they’re feeling. 

She recalled how an agitated four-year-old Ziva calmed down immediately after accidentally getting shampoo in her eyes when she latched on to Jenina’s breast. 

“It was just a mother’s instinct,” Jenina said. “I sat down in the shower and breastfed her. Breastfeeding not only provides nutrition, it also provides emotional comfort even in the most peculiar environment.”

Jeline, a Davao-based mom, feels guilty that she was only able to exclusively breastfeed her younger son for three months compared to her older boy, a pandemic baby who was breastfed for three years.

“When I returned to work after maternity leave, I was so pressured and stressed that after a week, I couldn’t produce any more milk,” Jeline said. 

The difference was obvious. Her older son JJ is healthy and seldom gets a cough or cold. “He sometimes runs a fever but it never progresses to serious illness. Kaming lahat sa bahay nagka-flu na, siya very active and walang sakit (When everyone at home gets the flu, he remains well and active).”

Her younger son JR is lactose intolerant and had to be fed a specific formula that was priced at P2,000 and was only good for three to four days. “If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you have more opportunities to breastfeed your child beyond two years old. I would highly recommend it because it strengthens the bond between a mother and her child,” Jeline added.

Ilocos Norte-based January has four kids. She breastfed her eldest Natan, now 23 years old, for three years. “It built an unbreakable bond between us,” January said. 

Her three younger children, twin girls and a boy, are 11 and 10, respectively. “I tried to breastfeed the twins, Ada and Eve, but supplemented this with formula because my milk supply couldn’t keep up with two hungry babies at once. My youngest boy, Ono, was breastfed for two years.

“With my older son, I exclusively breastfed him for the first six months — no formula, no solids, just my milk. That was absolutely my intention from the beginning. I was determined to give him the best start possible. We introduced solids around seven months, but I continued breastfeeding him until he was three.”

January describes her bond with Natan as deep and intuitive, and credits it to the early years. “As a teenager, he’d open up about his feelings more than most boys his age. He’s confident, rarely gets sick, and has always been affectionate.”

Of her twins, she has noticed that the one who didn’t rely more on formula has fewer allergies. Her youngest is empathetic like his big brother, rarely falls ill and has a calm demeanor that she surmises came from “all those soothing nursing sessions.”

She recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months if possible. “It’s like giving your baby a custom-made shield against infections, allergies, and even future health issues like obesity or diabetes. I guess I’m lucky being in the province; breastfeeding seems to come naturally and does not bring any of the usual disadvantages, like being pressured to cover up when feeding.” 

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